Early picks for Super Bowl, MVP, breakouts

The NFL offseason is right here. And although the Kansas City Chiefs had been simply topped the Super Bowl LVII champions on Sunday, we’re already waiting for subsequent 12 months’s title sport in Las Vegas — and the way the 2023 season may play out.

There remains to be lots of change coming, and groups will enhance or decline over the approaching months. NFL free company formally begins on March 15, roughly six weeks earlier than the league holds the 2023 NFL draft. But as of now, Caesars Sportsbook has the Chiefs (+550) because the favorites for Super Bowl LVIII, adopted by the San Francisco 49ers (+600).

So what ought to we count on subsequent season? Who will win the Super Bowl and MVP? Which groups might be the tales of the season? Who are the highest breakout candidates to look at? We requested a panel of 10 NFL consultants for his or her early picks.

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Early Super Bowl picks | Early MVP picks
Most attention-grabbing groups | Breakout season

What’s your early Super Bowl LVIII choose?

Stephania Bell, fantasy soccer analyst: 49ers over Bengals. I believed this may be the Super Bowl LVII matchup, so it is simply being deferred a 12 months. Both groups have the rosters, coaches and up to date playoff expertise to navigate the trail to Las Vegas, so long as they will every keep wholesome.

Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Bengals over 49ers. Coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have the roster depth and a number of choices at quarterback to make a run, however I’m betting on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Lou Anarumo’s protection right here to win the title out in Vegas.

Mike Clay, fantasy soccer analyst: Eagles over Bengals. The Eagles’ 2023 schedule will likely be a lot harder than it was throughout their Super Bowl run this season, however this can be a legitimately good roster that figures to return a majority of its star/cornerstone gamers. That contains Jalen Hurts, who exploded right into a celebrity in his second 12 months as an NFL starter. Similarly, the Bengals have a lot of the core nonetheless in place for 2023, in addition to an elite, franchise QB in Burrow.

Tristan H. Cockcroft, fantasy soccer analyst: Bengals over 49ers. The AFC is a bit more up-in-the-air for me, with as many as six groups wanting like fairly good candidates to win, whereas the 49ers are one of many few actually well-rounded NFC groups. But I think about it Burrow’s 12 months to lastly win.

Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Chiefs over 49ers. Sure, this may look like an apparent selection, however the 49ers have been to 2 consecutive NFC Championship Games solely to lose to groups that had been merely more healthy than they had been on the time. There is a giant resolution coming at quarterback, however Shanahan has proved he can win with Jimmy Garoppolo or Brock Purdy. And the Chiefs … properly, they’re the Chiefs. As lengthy as Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid are there, it is silly to consider anybody else because the Super Bowl favourite from the AFC.

Eric Moody, fantasy soccer analyst: Chiefs over 49ers. Having gained their second Super Bowl in 4 years, the Chiefs are arduous to fade with Mahomes beneath heart. Although the 49ers have the roster they want, having a wholesome beginning quarterback for a whole season might remodel them right into a legit Super Bowl contender.

Jason Reid, senior Andscape author: Chiefs over 49ers. Mahomes is the league’s finest participant, and each Reid and normal supervisor Brett Veach are on the high of their fields. The 49ers’ roster is loaded, and Shanahan will get it found out at quarterback.

Mike Tannenbaum, NFL entrance workplace insider: Bengals over Cowboys. Look for Burrow and the Bengals to reap the benefits of enjoying an AFC title sport at house, which is able to buoy them into the Super Bowl. Dallas has a championship protection, and including a large receiver like Michael Thomas — a possible salary-cap casualty in New Orleans — might assist its stability.

Seth Walder, sports activities analytics author: Dolphins over Eagles. When the Dolphins had Tua Tagovailoa on the sector this season, they generated 0.13 anticipated factors added per play — barely higher than the Bills did with Josh Allen on the sector (0.12). Now they added Vic Fangio to repair a protection that already has some star energy on it? Sign me up.

Field Yates, NFL analyst: Chiefs over 49ers. I’ll simplify this: The Chiefs have the very best QB within the league, and the 49ers have the very best roster when analyzing the non-QB gamers in place.

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Who’s your choose to be subsequent season’s MVP?

Bell: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. After a tough opening week (and let’s keep in mind he was coming off a preseason ruptured appendix), Burrow returned to his calm and funky playmaking model, finally main his staff to eight straight wins within the again half of the common season. If he begins subsequent season totally wholesome — which might be the primary time in three years — he might put collectively a document 12 months.

Bowen: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. Herbert completed with 4,739 passing yards in 2022, the second most within the NFL behind Mahomes. With a brand new offensive system in ’23 beneath coordinator Kellen Moore, Herbert ought to have a stronger play-action/boot presence within the offense and see extra vertical ideas, placing his bodily instruments to make use of.

Clay: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles. If the Eagles make one other Super Bowl run, Hurts will undoubtedly be within the MVP race. He was a contender this previous season and is about up for yet one more large 12 months thanks, partially, to an elite offensive line and group of targets led by A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. Hurts’ dual-threat function has allowed 38 passing and 23 dashing TDs over the previous two seasons, and it is doable we have but to see the 24-year-old’s finest work.

Cockcroft: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. He has been excellent in all three NFL seasons, has among the many finest teams of receivers within the league and has crushed defending MVP/Super Bowl champ (Mahomes) in high-leverage conditions a number of occasions. Need I am going on? As with my Super Bowl choose, I feel it is his time to shine. For the second straight 12 months, the league’s MVP will even win the Super Bowl after such a very long time with out it taking place.

Miller: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. It’s uncommon for a participant to repeat as MVP, so I’m going away from the apparent selection of Mahomes and looking out on the second-best quarterback within the NFL. Burrow has the targets round him that Allen, Herbert and even Hurts may not have in 2023. With receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd all on board for an additional run, Burrow is a lock to be on the shortlist for MVP.

Moody: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles. Hurts’ 2022 season was pivotal because it decided he was able to being a franchise quarterback. During the common season, he surpassed expectations. In the Super Bowl, he had 304 passing yards and 70 dashing yards towards the Chiefs, and he needs to be much more calibrated along with his supporting forged in 2023. A novel expertise, Hurts additionally advantages from the Eagles’ artistic but aggressive offense.

Reid: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. One of solely 10 gamers to win at the least two AP MVP awards, Mahomes was a big-play artist when he gained his first in 2018 and a methodical tactician in incomes his second this previous season. There’s a large hole between Mahomes and the remainder of the pack.

Tannenbaum: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. Getting again left deal with Rashawn Slater, who performed in simply three video games in 2022, will enable Herbert to take the following step in his profession. I’m predicting the Chargers to win the AFC West, too.

Walder: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. I thought of Herbert, however Mahomes must be the almost certainly. Sure, tight finish Travis Kelce is getting older, and Orlando Brown Jr. is a free agent. But it’s a must to suppose the Chiefs discover a means so as to add a receiver this offseason. And apart from, Mahomes already gained an MVP with out an important broad receiver room.

Yates: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. There are a handful of gamers who all encourage nice confidence right here. However, I’ll go along with Burrow, given the way in which he completed this common season and the probability that the top-tier receiving expertise in Cincinnati is again and improved subsequent 12 months. Imagine Chase with one other offseason beneath his belt?

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Who is essentially the most attention-grabbing staff of the offseason?

Bell: Raiders. It’s easy. Who’s going to take over on the helm with the departure of Derek Carr? All-pro receiver Davante Adams and working again Josh Jacobs (assuming he returns) are already ready within the wings. Besides, would not the Raiders like to make a run on the Super Bowl being hosted in their very own stadium subsequent 12 months?

Bowen: Jets. It’s the quarterback. Potentially including Aaron Rodgers or Carr might change the dynamic of a Jets staff that includes younger, affect expertise at a number of premium positions.

Clay: Lions. I totally count on Detroit to be the preferred sleeper staff this offseason. Coach Dan Campbell has the franchise headed in the suitable route, and whereas Jared Goff’s profession output has been inconsistent, he has a terrific offensive supporting forged. If the entrance workplace makes a couple of additions to a protection that has struggled for years, the Lions could make a run on the NFC North crown.

Cockcroft: Lions. The Lions had been a surprisingly aggressive staff final season and are a sleeper contender for a deep playoff run relying upon how their draft and free company run shakes out. They have two of the highest 18 picks within the draft and a reasonably stable salary-cap state of affairs, so I’m curious to see what sorts of reinforcements they bring about in as they try to take the following step.

Miller: Packers. With the continuing Rodgers saga, the Packers are completely fascinating. Will he return? Do the Packers wish to take one other method beneath heart? Who would step as much as take over for the 39-year-old quarterback if he’s traded? The Packers have a significant resolution at that place that can little doubt form what many different groups do because the dominos fall into place.

Moody: Texans. While the Texans hit all-time low offensively and defensively final season, DeMeco Ryans, one other younger former participant turned coach, makes them intriguing. As a former 49ers assistant coach, Ryan is bringing in pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik and others from San Francisco’s workers. So whereas it will likely be attention-grabbing to see who would be the Texans’ beginning quarterback, the excellent news is that Houston appears to be on the rise with lots of expertise already on the roster.

Reid: 49ers. The 49ers have a lot expertise and depth, and Shanahan is pretty much as good because it will get with the X’s and O’s. If not for Purdy’s elbow harm within the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers’ season may need led to Super Bowl LVII. They have uncertainty about solely that one place, but when the 49ers get the QB room found out, be careful.

Tannenbaum: 49ers. It’s all in regards to the quarterback place, since you actually could make an argument that any of Garoppolo, Purdy or Trey Lance needs to be their starter. Garoppolo is a free agent once more, however they introduced him again final summer time, and he ended up enjoying after Lance’s harm. This is an enchanting state of affairs.

Walder: Bears. Roll your eyes all you need, however selecting whether or not to maintain Justin Fields and commerce the No. 1 general choose, or take one other QB at No. 1 and commerce Fields is an actual resolution. And it is a powerful one. That selection may have large ramifications and set the route of the franchise for years to return.

Yates: Packers. We do not know what is going on to occur with Rodgers, however that call might swing a number of groups’ fortunes for 2023 and past. That, in fact, contains the Packers. Beyond that, Green Bay has but to decide this offseason on the fifth-year choice for Jordan Love. It’s not a straightforward one to make when he has hardly performed.

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Make your choose now: Who’s going to have a breakout 2023 season?

Bell: Jameson Williams, WR, Lions. The thrilling rookie out of Alabama did not make his season debut till Week 13 after recovering from a torn ACL, however he gave us a glimpse of what might be in Week 14 when he scored a 41-yard TD towards the Vikings in simply his second NFL sport. With extra restoration time beneath his belt and an opportunity to work with the staff by way of OTAs and coaching camp this 12 months, Williams will likely be a star in a potent Lions offense.

Bowen: George Pickens, WR, Steelers. Pickens has all of the traits of a boundary receiver who could be remoted to win along with his body, ball abilities and three-level means. Given one other 12 months of growth and with quarterback Kenny Pickett, Pickens ought to play a difference-making function in ’23. He had 801 receiving yards in his rookie marketing campaign.

Clay: Justin Fields, QB, Bears. This one looks like dishonest after we noticed Fields expertise a minibreakout (definitely from a fantasy standpoint) in the course of the 2022 season, however he is a candidate to make an enormous leap in his third professional season. He has proven super upside as a rusher (QB-high 1,143 dashing yards and seven.1 yards per carry in 15 video games final season), however his supporting forged has not been significantly good and has led to underwhelming passing manufacturing and big sack numbers (league-high 55 in 2022). With Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet in place, and maybe a couple of offseason additions coming, Fields will likely be higher positioned to place all of it collectively in 2023.

Cockcroft: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars. Perhaps he is additionally too apparent after steering his staff into the playoffs’ second spherical as an NFL sophomore, however I feel Lawrence has one other vital step ahead to make. And his sturdy end to 2022 indicators that is in all probability on the way in which in 2023. Lawrence has a stable set of receivers, and that is earlier than contemplating the chance that Calvin Ridley returns to present added depth.

Miller: Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens. The hiring of Todd Monken to run the Ravens’ offense was nice information for Bateman. Monken, whereas the offensive coordinator at Georgia, set his broad receivers up for fulfillment with a ton of slants and inside routes. That’s the specialty of Bateman, who has flashed WR1 potential. If wholesome, he’s primed for a 1,200-yard season.

Moody: Drake London, WR, Falcons. London is a big receiver who can separate from defenders and make contested catches, and he will likely be one of many Falcons’ most necessary gamers in 2023 with Desmond Ridder beneath heart. In his previous six video games, London averaged 8.6 targets and 76.2 receiving yards, giving us a glimpse of what’s to return.

Reid: Trey Lance, QB, 49ers. After having a number of surgical procedures on his proper ankle, Lance is predicted to be prepared for OTAs. Purdy will not be, although, as he recovers from elbow surgical procedure. Assuming the 49ers transfer on from Garoppolo, the trail needs to be clear for Lance to be the staff’s Week 1 starter for the second straight season. Let’s not overlook that the 49ers traded up within the 2021 draft to take Lance third general. With this roster, Lance might shine.

Tannenbaum: Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys. Pollard made the Pro Bowl in 2022, however I count on him to degree up much more subsequent season, as Dallas might transfer on from Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard has an amazing talent set and may burst onto the nationwide scene behind a very good offensive line (when it is wholesome).

Walder: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE, Texans. Okoronkwo flashed with a 19% cross rush win charge off the sting (Thirteenth-best) on a foul Houston staff, yielding 5 sacks. He’s a free agent now, and in a greater state of affairs the place opponents are compelled to cross extra usually and he is getting extra enjoying time, he might have a late breakout.

Yates: Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons. All proper, this may be a mayhem choose, however I’m attempting to will it into existence. With improved quarterback play, there may be merely no means that Pitts’ manufacturing could be near what it was in 2022 (simply 356 yards and two TDs). I will not hand over on a participant along with his uncooked expertise, and I feel an enormous 2023 is in retailer.